(photo Juul Kraijer)
A tribute to Vilma Grunwald based on the letter to her husband, written moments before her death in Auschwitz.
With Bella Adamova (mezzo soprano), Maya Fridman (cello, voice), Belinfante Quartet, Michael Hesselink (clarinet), Jacobus Thiele (percussion) & Marion von Tilzer (composition, & piano).
‘Into Eternity’ is a complex story of unimaginable sadness, yet at the same time, it portrays the incredible human capacity of love, courage, and resiliency, told through the eyes of a woman against the backdrop of the Holocaust – one of the most gruesome moments in human history. In the letter to her husband, Vilma shines a light on the very core of what it means to be a resilient human being. This project is part of ‘Meetings with Remarkable Women – music inspired by women’s lives’, a series of interdisciplinary art projects by composer/pianist Marion von Tilzer.
English translation of Vilma’s farewell letter (original Czech):
“You, my only one, dearest, in isolation we are waiting for darkness. We considered the possibility of hiding but decided not to do it since we felt it would be hopeless. The famous trucks are already here, and we are waiting for it to begin. I am completely calm. You – my only and dearest one, do not blame yourself for what happened, it was our destiny. We did what we could. Stay healthy and remember my words that time will heal – if not completely then at least partially. Take care of the little golden boy and don’t spoil him too much with your love. Both of you – stay healthy, my dear ones. I will be thinking of you and Misa. Have a fabulous life, we must board the trucks.
Into eternity, Vilma.” (dated July 11, 1944)
Frank Grunwald(1932) is Vilma’s surviving son about the project ‘Into Eternity:
‘…It is so exciting to hear about the completion of the musical composition inspired by my mother’s letter. One of my concerns has always been that my mother will be forgotten, but now – with her letter in the US Holocaust Memorial Museum and the musical performances composed on her behalf – those concerns are gone.’
INTO ETERNITY will be released as an album on TRPTK on April 28th, 2023
Preview: April 29, 2023, in the Paleiskerk in The Hague
Premiere: April 30, 2023, location tba with the festive presentation of the entire music program as an album (CD & online) on the Dutch high-end label TRPTK
3rd concert on Remembrance Day, May 4, 2023, 9 p.m. location in collaboration with Theater Na de Artistic director: Marion von Tilzer, tel: 06 21 466 433 / marionvontilzer@hotmail.com
Producer: Leonardo Semeleer, tel: 06 479 03 592 / lsemileer@gmail.com
Musicians: Bella Adamova (mezzo-soprano), Maya Fridman (solo cello), Belinfante Quartet, Jacobus Thiele (frame drum), Michael Hesselink (clarinet), Marion von Tilzer (piano, compositions)
Dramaturgical advice: Diane Elshout – Light Design & Projections: James Murray
The project is supported by Muzican Foundation, www.muzican.nl
Composers in the crosshairs of our attention